NT 37 Jesus is Crucified

Reference: Matthew 27

Story Summary:
     The chief priests and elders, the leaders of the people of Israel, decided to put Jesus to death, even though Jesus had not done anything wrong. They took him to Pilate, the governor of the land. Pilate listened as many spoke evil of Jesus, but Jesus didn’t say anything.
     It was Pilate’s tradition to let a prisoner go free during the Passover feast. Pilate gave the people two prisoners to pick from: Jesus and Barabbas, a murderer. The people asked for Barabbas to go free. When Pilate asked them what they wanted to do to Jesus, they said, “Crucify him!” Pilate agreed to crucify Jesus, even though he had done nothing wrong.
   After being beaten and mocked by soldiers, Jesus walked to the place where they crucified him. After being nailed to a wooden cross, Jesus hung there until he died. A rich man named Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. He wrapped his body in cloths and buried him in a tomb.

Big Idea and Motions: Jesus died to pay for our sins.
Jesus - make a cross with your forearms
Died - make an “X” with your forearms over your chest
To pay - pretend to swipe a debit/credit card
Sins - two thumbs down

Verse and Motions: John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
God - point up
Loved - place your hands over your heart
World - draw a big circle in the air with your hands
Gave - cup your hands together and gesture away
Son - pretend to cradle a baby
Believes - fold your hands together, fingers interlocked
Perish - cross your arms over your chest
Eternal life - twirl your finger in an ∞ shape

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
How does God feel about sin? // He hates it
How many times did Jesus sin? // Zero. He never sinned
Who was Pilate? // The governor
What did Pilate ask Jesus? // Are you the king?
Who did the people let go instead of Jesus? // Barabbas
What did the soldiers do to Jesus? // Whipped and made fun of him
What was Jesus nailed to? // A cross
What happened to Jesus because he was nailed to a cross? // He died
Where was Jesus buried? // In a stone tomb
What did Jesus pay for on the cross? // The punishment for our sins

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/9XbxFM
Resources - http://goo.gl/OzZGar